Ulinzi braced for titanic Tusker FC Shield battle

Ulinzi Stars’ stand-in coach, Benjamin Nyangweso, believes his charges have everything it takes to gun down high-flying Tusker FC when the two Kenyan Premier League (KPL) sides clash in Thursday’s GOtv Shield Cup finals at Nairobi’s Nyayo Stadium.

The Brewers – who lead the KPL log by seven points with only four rounds left to play – come into the match as favorites to lift the trophy give their better run of form and are seeking to lift the domestic cup for the fourth time since 1993.

However, the Military Men will ride on their confidence after overrunning National Super League (NSL) giants Kariobangi Sharks in the semi finals of the competition.

Paul Nkata’s men won their latest encounter with Ulinzi thanks to two second half penalties in a 2-1 away win in July albeit losing the reverse fixture 2-0 in February.

“I admit that our league title contention hit a brick wall after our 2-2 draw against AFC Leopards on Saturday last weekend. We therefore have to fight hard to deliver the Shield Cup, even in the honor of our ailing head coach Robert Matano.

“We have prepared well, no pressure at all. If anything it is Tusker who could be under pressure considering they are chasing a double, and their position in the league demands they prove their worth to be leading,” charged the tactician who led the club to league glory in 2010, before winning the KPL Top 8 a year later.

However, Nyangweso acknowledged their opponents will be a hard nut to crack, citing the vast experience and tactical strength in their squad.

“I respect them; no one can ignore their technical ability and the squad’s vast experience. The best thing is that this is a final, and finals have no under dogs.

“It will be great to represent Kenya in the CAF Confederations Cup next year, but we will think about after we win the Cup.

His captain James Saruni, has challenged his teammates to give their best in the match, noting they under-performed in their last outing against Leopards.

“That was not the best we could have offered, but we have moved on and we must avoid the mistakes we did as we face Tusker. Besides our coach (Matano), we want to win it for our former Chairman Colonel J.S Mwinyikai and his successor Lt. Colonel Oloo.”

Ulinzi will miss influential striker Oscar Wamalwa in the match as confirmed by the assistant coach, who however is content with options available including talismanic John Mark Makwatta.

Ulinzi hammered National Super League (NSL) side Kariobangi Sharks 4-1 to sail to the finals while Tusker edged another second tier side KCB 1-0.

Paul Nkata, Tusker’s coach, is record saying he is going for a domestic double this season despite cautioning his players not to celebrate until it is done.

Before the final, Sharks will lock horns with KCB in the playoffs, a clash which Coach William Muluya has termed ‘exciting’.

“It exciting to play a competitor you have faced in the league in such a match. We are going to give it our best whether for monetary or psychological accolade.

“We had a good run before we were eliminated by a more experienced side in the semi finals, so we hope we can get something at the end,” Muluya said.

Sharks are fourth on the NSL log with 55 points, seven above the Bankers at sixth both teams eying promotion to the top tier especially if Football Federation of Kenya’s (FKF) proposal to have 18-team member league sails through.